Day156 - On #IWD2018, a brief side trip through UK herstory

Today is International Women's Day. As someone who believes unreservedly in equality of the sexes, in many ways I can't help feeling sad that we still have or need this. I could go on endlessly about the fact I feel like I'm witnessing the start of the decline in what was once being achieved for women. I see the resurgence of ads in which women are depicted as the sole child raisers and laundry washers. I feel pressured by political correctness to accept that it's women who are behind  religious requirements to segregate themselves in any way from men. I sense a growing victimization mentality sweeping society in which those who make poor choices attempt to adhere themselves to people who have been true victims of abuse and poverty. I witness a growing loss of knowledge about the history of women's rights and those who were ridiculed, jailed and lost their lives in the fight for what we now take for granted.

But wait. This is a travel blog and meant to be a chronicle of our experiences. You''re looking for a reprieve when you read it, right? So, let me look at what's around me in this country and seek out the positive in turns of the influence of women.

Next to me is a new 10 pound note. The British are converting their currency to our Canadian-style of polymer currency, with see-through panels, holograms, raised type and metallic images. You might recall that Canadian economist and former Governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, became the Governor of the Bank of England in 2013. He brought with him the idea of this change in currency style.

What is remarkable is that the new note features the novelist Jane Austen "who, using wit and social observation, provided astute insights into 19th century life, often praising the virtues of reason and intelligence and highlighting some of the barriers that society erected against the progression of women" (the quote being from the Bank of England's info brochure on the new note). Her inage replaced that of Charles Dickens. On the note, next to a portrait of Jane Austen drawn by her nephew, is an illustration of the character Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. The note also contains an image of  Godmersham Park House, the estate owned by Jane Austen’s brother (because who left homes or money to women?). The note was release last year, which was the 200th anniversary of Austen's death.

It's a positive step since all other notes depict men. Well, except for the fact that the Queen features on every piece of currency!

In a poll by The Sunday Times, Queen Elizabeth II was voted to be the UK's greatest monarch (27% of the vote). While we may attribute that to familiarity, it's interesting to note that the next two "greatest monarch's" were also women: Queen Elizabeth I (13%) and Queen Victoria (12%). Of course, only history will tell us what impact the current Queen has had on life and the times. That is something often difficult to see in the light of what we consider ordinary times.

The history of pioneering women in the country goes far beyond its queens and novelists, of course.

If you want to discover more, take a look at the following:

Discover the women behind the English Woman's Journal: This journal was published between 1858 and 1864, the period in which occurred the unsuccessful efforts to allow married women to hold property and vote.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: She was the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain. But she didn't stop there! She co-founded the London School of Medicine for Women -- the first hospital staffed by women. She  was the first female dean of a British medical school (the same one she founded), the first female doctor of medicine in France, the first woman elected to a British school board and the first female mayor and magistrate in Britain.

However, in reality, Anderson may have been the first women known to be a physician. If you are unaware of it, read the remarkable account of Dr. James Barry, whose female identity was only discovered after her death. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Of course, the list of UK women who have influenced our present day lives goes on and on. As this is a travel blog, I encourage you to take a trip through history...even if it means using Google as your means of transport.

Travel Note: This evening we are starting our weekend journey to Germany by first travelling into London and staying over night. We'll then take a flight to Germany tomorrow morning. However, I'll update you about all of that tomorrow.